Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-06-23

It would be amusing, if they were
not made up of such contemptlbly
mean partisanship, to read the howls
that have gone up from the political
patriots on account of the recent order |
of the President directing the return of
the flags now held at the Capital to the
States 20 which they formerly belonged.
One, reading the Globe Democrat and
other Republican papers, would be led
to believe that all these flags were
captured Confederate banners, whereas
the fact is that among them are prob
ably twenty Union flags to one of the
former. This is not the first time the
question of their return has been con-
sldered. A few years ago, while Roo't
T. Lincoln was Secretary of War, Ad-
jutant-General Drum-a Republican,
and longtime official-addressed
letter to him, proposing the return of
these flags to their respective States.
This proposition Uas endorsed affirm
atively by the then Secretary, but
that Congress only had the power to
dictate their disposal, and the matter
dropped. At various times requests
had come from Northern States for the
return of the flags for the use of the
veterans of the old organizations, and
in every instance where the request was
properly endorsed by the State au-
thorities, it had been complied with.
AS an act of graceful courtesy" the
Adjutant-G General thought there could
be no objection to taking these old bat
tie relics out of the boxes wherein they
were rotting, aud giving them in
charge to those who would carefully
preserve them. No noise was made
about it at the time, and when Adju-
tant-General Drum (still a Republican,
last May again advised that the flags
be returned to the States, his propose
was endorsed by Secretary Endicot
and the President, without scrutiny
into their power to dictate the disposal
As soon as the Presidents attention
was called to the matter, he examined
the law, found that only Congress hat
the power to dispose of the flags, and
like a square and true man and officer
ne promptly acknowledged his mistak
by resembling the order. That is al
there is in the episode, excepting tn
dirty, partisan capital that certai
political patriots are trying to max
out of it. Below we publish the letter
of six Governors-of three Norther
and three Southern States-relating
the matter, and we leave the reader
Judge which three evince the broadt
patriotism of a united couniry-so fl
as it can be united while demagogu'
find interest in blowing the expirin
embers of sectional strife:
GOV. ADAMS, OF COLORADO.
The captured flags should either r
main in Washington, or can be return
ed to the States whose soldiers captu
ed them. The President has not tt
right, nor do I believe he has Il
intention, to restore the flags to tho
who carried them in battle against Il
Union.
Denver, Colo, June II.
GOV. LUCE, OF MICHIGAN.
IT took brave band to capture the
and it will require a Drawer band to I
take them.
Lansing, Mich, June Is.
GOV. PERRY, OF FLORIDA.
The proposition does honor to t
heart and mind from which it emans
ed, It betokens the growth of a broa
er patriotism which sectional lines "
be powerless to restrict and ancie
prejudices to confine.
Tallahassee, Fla, June l5.
GOV. SAWYER, OF NEW HAMPsHIR,
My views are entirely in accord wi
veterans and citizens who denour
the act.
Concord, N. III.
GOV. FITZHUGH LEE, OF vIRGINI.
Southern battle flags did not orig
ate with Southern soldiers. VIII
they would have accepted again tn
banners bathed in the blood OF brs
comrades, they recognized that fl,
captured in battle are the property
the victors, and were content to
them remain in their charge. FL
captured from Northern troops
Southern soldiers have been return
in some cases with ceremonies. .
country should not again be agita
by pieces of bunting that mean moth
now. The South is part and parce
the Union to-day, and means to do
part towards increasing the prosper
and maintaining the peace of the
public, whether the flags rot in Wa
ington or are restored to their forI
custodians If any man hauls dc
the American flag shoot him on
snot Init don't let US get into trot
because another flag simply char
its resting place. It will not go
the hands Of q standard-bearer.